JUNE/JULY 2009 NEWSLETTER
A SUMMER IN THE PSALMS
Probably because of the images from Psalms 23 and 42, I often find myself thinking about and drawn toward the book of Psalms in the summer time. Green pastures, quiet waters, a deep panting—these scenes are summer time scenes to me. This summer I want us to camp out in the Psalms. My sermons for the summer months of June, July and August will be drawn from the Psalms.
The book of Psalms has been described as the hymnal of Israel. It was and still is more than a hymnal as it serves as a resource for personal and community worship for God’s People from the early centuries of Israel’s existence and in our day. The collection includes songs of ascent--to be sung as faithful worshippers climbed the hills toward the Jerusalem temple, and songs of lament—songs that helped people pour out their hearts before God in the midst of sorrow and loss. The book of Psalms also includes songs of repentance, songs of praise, songs of spiritual struggle and songs of personal devotion.
I encourage you to camp out with the Psalms the summer. If you miss church, read 2 or 3 psalms on a Sunday morning. If you are walking in God’s beautiful creation, read Psalm 103. If you feel yourself drifting from God, read Psalm 42 or Psalm 77. If you find yourself struggling to trust God in the midst of hard times or disappointments, read Psalm 31. If you are sick, read Psalm 86. If you grieve the loss or absence of a loved one this summer, read Psalm 88.
Summer can be a time to drift away from the Lord and His church. Perhaps the book of Psalms can keep you connected. Let’s camp out with “A Summer in the Psalms”, whether we are here at FBC or at a beautiful Michigan vacation spot. You just might find the Lord to be a close companion as you summer your way towards fall.
Serving the Lord of all seasons and the Lord of Life,
Pastor Ray
SPECIAL CHILDREN’S MINISTRY EVENT
JULY 11th at DEVRIES NATURE CONSERVANCY
In place of the traditional “downtown” VBS that we have done over the past six summers with two sister churches, this summer the FBC Discipleship Ministry Team has decided to sponsor two “SUPER SATURDAY” Children’s Ministry events. These events, for children in and outside of the church, are intended to help kids have fun in the Lord, learn some Bible stories, appreciate God’s Creation, and keep connected to one another over the summer months.
The first will be held at the DeVries Nature Conservancy on North M-52. We will spend time in the morning with some worship, some games and some fun. A lunch will be served around noon. Then in the afternoon we will join other children in the community for the DeVries “Bug Day” event. The day will wrap up around 3:30 pm. Complete details will be available in a June bulletin and will be sent out by email around June 21.
Information about the second SUPER SATURDAY event will be published in July. The second event is still being planned, but may be held at the Shiawassee Arts Center along the Shiawassee River sometime in August.
CARING FOR GOD’S TREASURES
Did you know that to God we are a treasure? The Bible says “You are children of the Lord your God....It is you the Lord has chosen….to be his people, his treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 14:1-2). Although those words were spoken long ago to people far away, Galatians 3:26 assures us that we are included, too: “For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.”
One of the gifts of being God’s children is being “treasure tenders” for God. We tend God’s treasure here in our congregation with the love and care we show each other through special meals, visiting the sick and shut-in, teaching Christian discipleship, and praying for each other. We are also invited to tend God’s treasures beyond our congregation by participating in One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, which provides support for the American Baptist Emergency Relief fund.
Life can be tough at times. Hurricanes, earthquakes, cyclones, and tsunamis destroy communities. Wars and ethnic conflicts shatter the very foundations of life, shoving people out of their homes and transforming them into frightened refugees. Persistent hunger, drought, poverty, lack of education, and illness shrivel the life and dry the spirit, leaving individuals to crumble from the inside out.
Through One Great Hour of Sharing/American Baptist Emergency Relief Offering, we care for God’s damaged and wounded treasures. By sharing some of our earthly treasure – our money, our time, our energy – aid is sent when disaster strikes. Refugees receive help in the long term as they rebuild their lives. People receive education, health care, tools, seeds, food, water and resources to improve and restore their communities.
First Timothy 6:18-19a exhorts us “to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up….the treasure of a good foundation for the future.” Our treasure is doing God’s will, loving God, and loving God’s treasured people, so we all “may take hold of the life that really is life” (1 Timothy 6:19b). Jesus said, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). May you find your treasure, and your heart, by sharing resources and changing lives with a generous gift to One Great Hour of Sharing.
Our goal this year is $418.00 – one dollar higher that what was given last year. Let’s join together to caring for the hurting and lost in our own land by surpassing our goal.
Pastor Ray and The Mission and Outreach Ministry Team.
SUNDAY MINISTRY SCHEDULE
DISCIPLESHIP JOURNAL CLASS – 9:15 A.M.
FELLOWSHIP TIME – 10:00 A.M.
WORSHIP SERVICE – 10:30 A.M.
JUNIOR WORSHIP – 10:45 A.M.
LIFE TOGETHER (Bruder Group) – 11:45 P.M. (as announced)
BIBLE STUDY - ISSUES IN SCIENCE & FAITH – 6:00 P.M.
BOBBY BOWEN
FORMER LEAD SINGER OF MIDSOUTH BOYS QRT.
IN CONCERT
SHARING “CHRISTIAN COUNTRY”
MUSIC AND MINISTRY
SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2009
10:30 AM
At the age of 16 growing up in a small town in Arkansas, Bobby knew he had a calling on his life to sing Gospel music. Being a fan of the Happy Goodmans and the Hinson Family, his calling was confirmed when he saw them perform live on stage. In December of 1982 his dream came true when he was offered a job with The MidSouth Boys Quartet as lead vocalist and bassist. After 3 years the group changed direction and became a Christian Country trio and found success with their first top ten song on The Singing News top 40 charts with "Guilty of Loving Me." In 1990 the band was nominated for a Grammy for Southern Gospel Album of the Year in 1992. The band won a Dove Award in 1995 for "Country Recorded Song of the Year" and that same year they won "Vocal Group Of The Year" at The CCMA Awards.
A LOVE OFFERING WILL BE RECEIVED FOR THIS MINISTRY.
1 May 2009
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES
- Pastor’s Bible Study – “Issues in Science and Faith” Meets on Sundays at 6:00 p.m. Meetings for the next few weeks will be at the home of Dr. Tim & Marcia Oliver.
- Life Together (Bruder Group) – Meets at 11:45 a.m. every other Sunday as announced. Picnic to be held on June 7th.
- Discipleship Journal Class –Led by Ruth and Bill Pulley and meets at 9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. They are studying the bi-monthly periodical titled “Discipleship Journal” Each volume has a unique theme.
~CHURCH NEWS~
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
Summer hours for the church office are now in effect. The office will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the 2nd and 4th Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
CHURCH LAWN-MOWING
The Property & Finance Team is asking for help to mow the church lawn during the summer. A sign-up sheet is available in the Welcome Center. A lawnmower is available at the church or you can use your own. If you can find it in your schedule to help out once in a while, it would be greatly appreciated.
“MISSION BOX”
Have you checked out the MISSION INFORMATION BOX in Fellowship Hall?
It contains the latest info from ourmissionaries and mission fields. You will find the box on the front tables during Coffee Hour, or in the kitchen at other times. Sponsored by the Mission and Outreach Ministry Team.
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ANNUAL FLOWER SALE
Profit from the Annual Flower Sale was $606.25, which will go to help replenish the Reserve Fund.
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FELLOWSHIP NEWS
June 26th. Have you ever toured the State Capitol building? We are offering a special tour of the capitol led by Valerie Marvin at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26th. We will enjoy dinner together afterward. There is no charge for the tour and the building is completely handicapped accessible. If you are interested, please contact Mary Johns at 277-8171.
August 16th. Put this date on your calendar!!! We are planning our annual trip to a Lugnuts game. The game will be at 2:05 p.m. followed by dinner. Reserva-tions need to be made by July 1st. Contact Mary Johns for reservations or more information at 277-8171.
DISCIPLESHIP NEWS
Camp Time Again!!!!!!! It’s not too late to help send our campers to church camp. We have four different age groups to enjoy this fun experience, and the Discipleship Ministry Team would like your help in raising funds to help these families and their children go to camp. You can put your offering in your envelope and mark it “Camp Fund”, or the “little log cabin” is located in the Welcome Center with a slot big enough for your change and dollar bills. Thank you all!!!
KEENAGERS POTLUCK
The Keenagers potluck will be held on Thursday, June25th at noon in the Fellowship Hall.
Come join us!
ABW NEWS
ABW will have a potluck “picnic” at the church on Tuesday, June 9th at 6:00 p.m. (our regular meeting time, only an hour earlier). We haven’t had a business meeting for two months, sothere will belots of business: year-end disbursements and election of officers to name two items. We will alsobrainstorm ideas for the future of ABW! YOU are needed at this meeting!!!
NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY
The new church directory is available in the Welcome Center. Please pick up your
copy or call the church office to have one mailed to you. Please let the church office know if there are any corrections needed.
ADDRESS
Jack Kurrle
14945 W. Yosemite Drive
Sun City, AZ 85375
SPECIAL GIFT CAMPAIGN FOR PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY
The month of June, 2009, is the 16th anniversary of Pastor Ray coming to FBC to serve our congregation. In some of the previous years we have collected “Gifts of Love” for the pastor to celebrate one more year. We want to do this this year, but with a goal in mind. The Strawsers are in need of a newwasher and dryer. Your Anniversary gifts will go to help with the cost of one of the appliances. Because of the energy savings benefit of the new appliances, the Property and Finance Ministry Team is contributing $200 towards the cost. The Strawsers will provide the rest of the money necessary for this purchase and will be the owners of the appliances.
We thank you in advance for your generosity and help with this special Love Gift. Your gift can be given with your weekly offering by marking “ANNIVERSARY LOVE GIFT” on your regular giving envelope or by putting it in the wooden “Love Gift” box in the Welcome Center.
In God’s Love,
Your Pastoral Relations Committee, Shannon Hinterman, Chair
JUNE/JULY BIRTHDAYS
6/4Marie Welch7/9Ken DeLong
6/7Mark Hinterman7/12Sue Henderson
6/16Marra Sadilek7/15Ruth Pulley
6/27Mae Cooley7/18Holly Creighton Franson
7/25Tristan Henderson
HOLY HUMOR
A boy asks his father to use the car and father replies, “No, not until you cut your hair!”
The boy complains, “But father…Jesus had long hair!”
To which his father says, “Yeah, but Jesus walked everywhere.”
THE PASSION PLAY OF OBERAMMERGAU
Pastor Paul Larson (former pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Owosso), stopped by FBC to drop off information on a trip he and his wife Kristi are coordinating to Europe in 2010 to see the Passion Play of Oberammergau. Two different trips are being offered:
ALPINE EUROPE will visit Heidelberg, Rhine valley, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich and Rothenburg for 11 days from August 2-12, 2010.
STEPS OF MARTIN LUTHER will visit Eisenach, Erfurt, Eisleben, Wittenberg, Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Munich, Rothenburg for 11 days from June 17—27, 2010.
Complete information is available on the bulletin board by the church office.
GOD’S SERVANTS FOR JUNE/JULY
STEWARDSCOFFEE HOSTS
6/07Lola Jean Smith6/07Bill & Bev Kohagen
6/14Mary Johns6/14Rolene Zacharda & Doreen Bouck
6/21Bob Johns6/21Mark & Shannon Hinterman
6/28Carol Paksi6/28Doug & Shannon Sadilek
7/05Doreen Bouck7/05Ruth Roszman & Lola Jean Smith
7/12Betty Kelsey7/12Bill & Ruth Pulley
7/19Lola Jean Smith7/19Mable Reid & Peggy Bucsi
7/26Mary Johns7/26Bill & Bev Kohagen
NURSERYCOMMUNION SERVERS
6/07Lola Jean Smith & Doreen BouckJUNE: DISCIPLESHIP TEAM-
6/14Rolene Zacharda & Karen DeLong Deb Creighton, Lisa A. Dixon,
6/22Sue Henderson & Angie Henderson Mary Dixon, Shannon Sadilek
6/28Char Elliott & Evelyn Sexton
7/05Nancy Dibean & Betty VanAmburgJULY: FELLOWSHIP & CARING TEAM
7/12Mable Reid & Heather ValleyJeri Bandkau, Karen DeLong,
7/19Shirley Walls & Carol PaksiChar Elliott, Mary Johns
7/26Lola Jean Smith & Doreen Bouck
USHERS FOR JUNE
Karen DeLong, Bob Johns, Carol Paksi, Doug Sadilek
USHERS FOR JULY
Karen DeLong, Carol Paksi, Doug Sadilek, Laura Lee Strawser
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MORE HOLY HUMOR
A preacher said to a farmer, “Do you belong to the Christian family?” “No,” he said, “they live two farms down.” No, I mean are you lost?” “No, I’ve lived here 30 years.” “I mean, are you ready for Judgment Day?” “When is it?” “Could be today or tomorrow.” Well, when you find out for sure when it is, you let me know. My wife will probably want to go both days!”
I BELIEVE
Submitted by: Mable Reid
I believe in the sun
Even when it is not shining.
I believe in love
Even when I feel it not.
I believe in God
Even when He is silent.
(Written on a wall in a concentration camp)
WENDY KAY’S GIFT
During a time of sharing at a church in Raymond Washington, a member of the congregation talked about her thirty-year class reunion. She told the story of her classmate, Hal Norman, who had suffered from cancer. He shared a touching gift he head received as his father’s Day gift from his daughter, Wendy Kay. Here is her gift:
Cancer is so limited..
It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot erode faith,
It cannot eat away peace,
It cannot destroy confidence,
It cannot kill friendship,
It cannot shut out memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot reduce eternal life,
It cannot quench the Spirit,
It cannot lessen the power of resurrection.
Even on the down side of someone’s suffering from cancer, we can celebrate what cancer cannot do!
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PRAYER THOUGHTS
From: Discipleship Journal
Submitted by: Marilyn Dixon
I enjoy offering quick prayers for strangers throughout the day. If you like to do the same, here are some opportunities you may not have through of.
- While driving through a school zone, pray for God’s love to be shown through Christian teachers at the school.
- When you pass a hospital, intercede for those having surgery that day.
- If you’re stopped in traffic, pray the driver next to you will experience Christ’s unconditional love.
- As you enter a store, pray the managers will use wise and compassionate leadership skills.
- In a checkout line, pray that people waiting with you will make sound financial decisions.
- When you get the mail, ask God to encourage your postal worker.
- As you turn on the radio, ask the Lord to provide Christian friends for the on-air personality.
- When you enjoy a meal out, invite God’s blessings on the cooks who prepare it. If you notice a wedding ring on you server, intercede for the person’s marriage.